How to Sell a Niche Market Business
Selling an Employment Agency
Your employment agency has been good to you. The next step is to position your business for the demands of the business-for-sale marketplace.
Most business sellers are interested in disposing of their businesses as quickly as possible. But that's not how an employment agency sale works.
Yet what many sellers don't appreciate is that a down economy can present the perfect opportunity to sell a employment agency.
Dealing with Your Emotions
Business sellers sometimes struggle to handle the emotions of a sale. Although you might think you're ready to exit your business, selling and separating from an employment agency scan stir up a range of emotions. We advise sellers to discuss their feelings with family members and close friends before, during and after the sale. At the same time, it's helpful to consult with people who can help limit the influence of your emotions on negotiations and other aspects of the sale process.
Leveraging External Resources
Rarely, if ever, do owners sell an employment agency without outside assistance. Brokers can be an important resource for your sale, especially if you are unfamiliar with the business-for-sale marketplace. Additionally, you may want to hire professionals for legal, valuation and other functions before you put your business on the market. The early recruitment of external resources reduces your risk and results in a more predictable final outcome.
Why Confidentiality Matters
In the business-for-sale universe, publicity translates into risk. A low-key selling strategy is a low risk activity because you can control who does (and doesn't) know that your business is on the market. But if word leaks out to the wrong people, your competitors can use that information to steal business and damage your credibility. Successful sales walk a fine line between total confidentiality and aggressive promotion. We recommend consulting a business broker to learn how you can simultaneously identify prospective buyers and maintain a confidential sale environment.
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